Yoel Romero hadn't earned the UFC Middleweight Championship in any of his previous three opportunities, but he hoped the fourth time was a charm at UFC 248 Saturday night.
Slightly more understated. Still @stylebender. #UFC248 pic.twitter.com/3nFIZY1msX
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 8, 2020
He didn't win.
Facing champion Israel Adesanya, Romero was the beneficiary of a hampered division. Injuries and timing gave way, helping the 42-year old persistent weight-miss offender to gain the main event. Fortunately he hit the scales correctly this time around.
"You gotta give the judges something to score."
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 8, 2020
Referee Dan Miragliotta spoke to Israel Adesanya and Yoel Romero before the start of the fourth round. #UFC248 pic.twitter.com/GO2hVo5NJG
What followed was a fight that will go down as one of the most underwhelming in UFC championship history. Romero started off completely still, and threw only one strike in the first round, albeit an effective counter left. As the bout progressed, Adesanya sawed away at Romero's legs and took home a unanimous decision victory, 48-47, 48-47, 49-46.
Things between @stylebender and @YoelRomeroMMA picked up in the final seconds as the fighters went forehead-to-forehead #UFC248 pic.twitter.com/SuwWqve1ZI
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 8, 2020
You can see our full coverage of UFC 248 at this link, and check out our main event watch along at this link.
